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Fire breaks out in block of London flats near Grenfell Tower

The fire broke out on the balcony on the 12th floor. Credit: London Fire Brigade

A fire that broke out at a block of flats a short distance away from Grenfell Tower in west London has been brought under control.

Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters were at the scene in Darfield Way in Notting Hill.

London Fire Brigade said they were called at 11.39am to a report of "smoke issuing" from a balcony on the 12th floor.

Crews spoke to residents in the building to reassure them. One resident who left her 10th floor flat when she smelled what she thought was burning plastic in the tower block said Grenfell was at the front of her mind.

Dozens of residents gathered a short distance from Markland House behind a police cordon.

Police officers, ambulance workers and fire crews from across London attended the scene and a roll-call of residents was taken to ensure everyone was out of the building

Firefighters will remain on scene on Friday afternoon, London Fire Brigade said.

The cause of the fire is not known at this stage and Scotland Yard said there were no reports of any injuries.

Standing looking at the block and pointing towards Grenfell Tower which is a short walk away, she said: "That's Grenfell there as you can see. That was my first instinct when I smelled smoke. Everyone is thinking of Grenfell."

Witness Danielle Bond, who was watching on from a nearby office block, claimed the fire had spread to six floors.

"The fire is spreading upwards," she said. "I don't know what it's like inside but flames are going up the building on one side."

Seventy-two people died in the huge fire at Grenfell Tower in west London on June 14 2017.